Amaranth, Arugula and Portulaca: Growing Practices and Nutritional Information

Amaranth greens are popular leafy greens throughout the world. Several cultivars of amaranth plant are used as leafy vegetables; some are with green leaves, some with greenish-red leaves while others are with red leaves. However, all cultivars are grown only during the summer and the rainy seasons. Scientific name of arugula is Eruca sativa. Arugula belongs to the family Brassicaceae, the cabbage family (syn. Cruciferae). All members of Brassicaceae are believed to be originated in the region comprising of Western Europe, the Mediterranean region and the temperate regions of Asia. Scientific name of portulaca greens is Portulaca oleracea. Portulaca belongs to the family Portulacaceae. It is believed to be originated in the Indian subcontinent. Common names of portulaca are Common purslane, verdolaga, red root, or parsley.